21. Which country has carried out the first nationwide test of its civil alarm systems?
[A] United States
[B] Russia
[C] Germany
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Germany]
Notes:
Germany has recently carried out the first nationwide test of its civil alarm systems since the end of the Cold War.
The country has also newly created National Warning Day, or Warntag, which is to be observed every year on September 10. Several alarms were sounded to alert the public to create the awareness about the measures to be taken in the backdrop of a national emergency.
22. What may be the growth in India’s GDP in FY 2020-21, as per the recent estimates of Moody’s, after its earlier estimate of -4%?
[A] – 6.5%
[B] – 9.5%
[C] -11.5%
[D] -15%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [-11.5%]
Notes:
Global rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has estimated that India’s real GDP would contract by 11.5 per cent in fiscal year 2020-21.
Earlier, the agency has estimated that India’s economy would contract by 4.0 per cent during 2020-21. CRISIL also said that the collapse in GDP was one of the sharpest among all major G-20 nation and the growth is expected to rebound to 10.6 per cent in 2021-22.
23. The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) functions under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Textiles
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Textiles]
Notes:
The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) was established by the Ministry of Textiles in 1982, to promote export of Carpets and other allied Products from India.
Recently, CEPC was in news as the organization has announced a three-day virtual Buyer-Seller Meet. The programme is to focus on Australia and adjoining countries, as India is the biggest exporter of handmade carpets to those countries.
24. Which Indian Movie has won the “Best Screen Play” award at the Venice Film Festival 2020?
[A] Hellaro
[B] Son Rise
[C] Uri
[D] The Disciple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The Disciple]
Notes:
Marathi language movie ‘The Disciple’ has won the Best Screenplay award at Venice Film Festival. The film is directed by Chaitanya Tamhane.
The movie describes the personal and professional experiences of a Hindustani classical singer. It also bagged the prestigious FIPRESCI award. “Nomadland”, directed by Chloe Zhao won the “Golden Lion” award in the file festival.
25. When is Hindi Diwas (Hindi Day) celebrated in India?
[A] September 13
[B] September 14
[C] September 15
[D] September 16
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September 14]
Notes:
Every year on September 14th, India celebrates “Hindi Diwas”(Hindi Day).
On Sep 14, 1949 Hindi became the official language of the nation. This decision was ratified by the Constitution on January 26, 1950. Hindi written in the Devanagari script has been adopted as the official language Under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution.
26. Which country has been hit by the storm Sally and has declared emergency in its states?
[A] United States
[B] Australia
[C] Japan
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
The Governor of the costal State of Louisiana, United States has declared a state of emergency on account of the tropical Storm Sally.
The storm is expected to strengthen to a hurricane and will weaken back to a tropical storm while moving inland over Louisiana.
27. India recently voted in favour of a COVID-19 related resolution in which forum?
[A] ASEAN
[B] UNGA
[C] IMF
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNGA]
Notes:
India has voted in favour of a COVID-19 resolution in the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA), along with 168 nations.
The resolution reaffirms international cooperation to respond to COVID. It also acknowledges the WHO’s leadership role during the pandemic. The U.S. and Israel voted against the resolution while Ukraine and Hungary abstained.
28. Which institution has estimated that Asia’s economy will contract for the first time since 1962?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] BRICS Bank
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asian Development Bank]
Notes:
According to the Asian Development Bank, Asia’s economy will contract for the first time since the early 1960s.
The bank had earlier projected that the GDP would grow by 0.1 per cent. Now, it is estimated that Asia’s GDP would decline by 0.7 per cent in 2020 and would increase to 7.7 per cent in 2021. It also highlighted that the GD in India would contract by 9% this year.
29. The new Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, introduced by the government empowers RBI to restructure which type of institutions?
[A] Foreign Banks
[B] Cooperative banks
[C] Nidhi Companies
[D] Chit Funds
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cooperative banks]
Notes:
The new Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, introduced by the government empowers RBI to restructure Cooperative banks.
The bill was tabled on the first day of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The bill which came in the form of ordinance was earlier withdrawn. Under this amendment, the Reserve Bank of India can restructure distressed cooperative banks.
30. A committee has been formed by which Union Ministry for study on origin of Indian culture?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Environment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Culture]
Notes:
The Government of India has formed a committee for conducting a study on the origin and evolution of 12,000-year-old Indian culture.
The committee comprises of 16 members with K.N. Dikshit, the Chairman of Indian Archaeological Society as a prominent member. The ministry plans to use the report of the committee in textbooks for the purpose of educational research.